When you start planning your wedding you will find items and services you never knew you needed or wanted! Here are 15 expenses that can be easy to overlook.Engagement Photos

Typically your engagement photos can be worked into a package with your wedding photographer. Bundling always saves a few dollars! The added bonus is you get to know your photographer that much better before the big day.Engagement Ring Sizing

Some jewelry stores will do this at no charge when you buy your ring, some won't. If you are using a vintage ring you will need to pay to have it sized.Asking Bridesmaids

Of course you can just ask them straight-forward if they would be a bridesmaid, but that's not much fun. Take them out for a fun night and ask them to be your bridesmaid then!Invitation Stamps

These days we don't send much in the mail so the cost of stamps might not be on the top of your list. Don't forget to budget correctly. Some envelopes that are heavy will require extra stamps. The Post Office's website has a tool to help you figure out how many stamps you will need for each invitation. Don't forget the return envelope postage!Dress Alterations

Unless you are very lucky and find a dress that fits you perfectly you will need alterations. This cost can vary, so make sure you ask your bridal shop about alterations.Bridal Party Gifts

Plan these purchases early. If you wait until the last minute you may end up spending more than you'd like. Purchasing early also gives you time to have something personalized for each bridal party member.Ceremony Music

Even if your ceremony is in a church you will likely need to pay an organist to play at your wedding. If you are having your ceremony outdoors or in a location not designed for ceremonies you may need to hire a company to provide sound so your vows and the officiant can heard. River City DJ can help you with this service.Cake Cutting

Not all venues will cut the cake for you. Make sure you ask about this with your venue contact! If they will not cut the cake you need to check with your bakery for other options.Transportation

Wether you are taking your own car, hiring a limo, or carriage, you will need a way to get to the ceremony and reception locations. You may also need to provide some transportation for older guests.Vendor Meals

Sometimes vendors are forgotten about when it comes to dinner. Remember, your photographer and videographer have been with you all day. Giving them the same meal as what you are serving your guests is very appreciated. The typical vendor meal is no comparison.Non-RSVP Guests

No matter how well you plan, no matter how much you ask for a RSVP, some people will just show up. Your caterer will help you plan for this. On the plus side there is usually a few guests who won't show up. Typically it all works out just fine.Sunset Wedding

Having a sunset wedding can allow for a dramatic change in the lighting for your venue! Talk about this with your wedding planner or whomever is providing the decorations. The lighting River City DJ provides can provide multiple different looks throughout the night. We can help you make your reception venue pop!Overtime

If the party is going hard and you don't want it to stop you can keep it going, at a cost. Check with your venue and entertainment about their overtime costs.Dress Cleaning

It is important to have your dress cleaned after the big day! Having it preserved is a cost you want to budget for before you leave for your honeymoon.Legal Documents

After you get your official copy of the marriage certificate you will need to update your passport, drivers license, credit cards, bank accounts, etc. Sometimes each of those accounts will require a separate copy of the marriage certificate; budget for extra copies.

Spring is finally here and that may have you thinking that a backyard wedding is perfect for you! There is a lot of planning involved, much more than just having a party at your house. Here are some tips for planning the backyard wedding of your dreams!

Budget

Just because you are not paying a venue doesn't mean that a backyard wedding will be less expensive. There are a lot of rentals and incidental costs to consider which can actually make it more expensive. Keep in mind things like refrigeration and caterer friendly kitchen equipment (typically your home kitchen will not suffice), tables and chairs, decorations, portable restrooms, electrical power (usually the outdoor outlets cannot provide enough and a typical generator is not safe or quiet enough), dance floor, protection from the sun or rain, guest parking, etc.

We may sound like a broken record in our newsletters but we cannot recommend enough hiring a professional wedding planner, especially with something like an outdoor wedding.

Unpredictable St. Louis Weather

Everyone knows to just wait an hour if you don't like the weather in St. Louis, it will change; sometimes dramatically.

Renting a tent with sides that can be quickly deployed is a must. DO NOT rely on pop-up canopies from the local store! Those are not safe in even moderate winds. They also are not very tall and can feel claustrophobic with a lot of people in them. A professional tent will be installed safely and provide plenty of room for your guests. Don't forget to give the caterers someplace protected to prepare the meals!

Not only will a tent protect your guests from the rain it will also shade them from the sun. Tents can even be heated or air conditioned if needed!

A nice touch is to provide plastic heel covers, hand fans, and bug spray for your guests to keep them comfortable.

Choosing the Right Food and Decor

The decor and food should reflect your personal tastes and the vibe of an outdoor wedding.

It is easier for your caterer to provide grilled food at an outdoor reception, plus the smell of the grill will add to the ambiance!

Flowers should be hardy enough to take the St. Louis heat. Work with your florist to choose flowers that won't wilt quickly. Orchids and potted plants are ideal.

The decor should be heavy enough to not blow away in the wind. Napkins, menus, and place cards should be secured with tape or a weight to keep them in place. Anything hanging should be heavy enough to not blow around and be secure enough to not get knocked down by the wind.

Keeping the Neighbors Happy

Keeping the neighbors happy can be as much of a challenge as the rest of the planning combined! Invite them over for lunch or dinner and drinks let them know you are planning to have a wedding at your home. If you can, invite them! If you can't invite them, giving them notice that allows them to plan accordingly.

Parking will be problematic. Contact City Hall about parking regulations so you know exactly where you can and cannot park cars. One solution is to hire a valet company. This will ensure cars are parked legally and your guests will not have to walk very far in an unfamiliar neighborhood. A second option is to work with a local business to use their lot and hire a shuttle limo bus to bring guests to the house.

Noise will be a concern for your neighbors. Work with your entertainment vendor to make sure it doesn't get too loud outside of the property. The layout of the wedding and the direction the speakers face makes a big difference in how far the sound travels. A professional sound company or DJ will be able to help you figure out the best layout. They will also have a sound level meter with them to ensure they stay within city and homeowner's association regulations on noise.

Outdoor Ceremonies

Outdoor ceremonies have always been popular in the St. Louis area. If they are small enough they can be a very simple and affordable alternative to a church ceremony. If you are inviting more than 30 guests to the ceremony you should consider hiring a professional to provide sound. Without this your guests may not be able to hear the officiant, readers, or the vows. River City DJ has handheld or clip-on wireless microphones included in our ceremony package. We include setup, teardown, and an experienced operator that will play your specific music at the right times to make sure your ceremony goes flawlessly.

Outdoor Receptions

We've noticed more brides are thinking about outdoor wedding receptions. You can find articles online about the unique challenges of an outdoor wedding reception but we want to highlight what needs to be thought about specifically for the entertainment.Here are a few things you should ask:

Is your sound system powerful enough for an outdoor venue? - A sound system that is good enough for even the largest indoor spaces may not be adequate for outdoors. It takes a much more powerful system to provide music at the same level outdoors compared to indoors. River City DJ has a system that can handle large outdoor venues with full-range sound including the bass notes.

Do you have the right kind of dance floor lighting for an outdoor venue? - Outdoor venues require some different lighting than indoor spaces. At indoor venues the lighting can bounce off the ceiling to help illuminate the dance floor. That isn't possible at outdoor weddings. Even if there is a tent, the ceiling of the tent is usually much higher than in a ballroom. Our lighting system is able to grow to accommodate large outdoor spaces.

How much electrical power do you need? - A professional band or DJ can tell you exactly the amount and type of power they need. This is very helpful information when renting a entertainment generator. For instance, our largest package uses two 20-amp 120-volt circuits to power our lights and sound system. A band can end up using even more!

Are you prepared for gusty winds or other inclimate weather? -Having a tent to cover the dining and dancing areas is always the best way to go. Removable sides that can be quickly deployed is a great option, just in case. Make sure the entertainment has quality speaker and light stands that will not tip over in gusty winds. Our stands are the best available and if gusty winds are predicted we will add additional precautions to ensure nothing tips over.

Author

Josh has been a DJ in the St. Louis area for 22 years. In this blog he offers tips and ideas to help you plan your amazing event!

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